• WiseTech shares are down 65%. Have brokers finally spotted a bargain?

    It seems to be going from bad to worse for WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares.

    The ASX tech stock has fallen 10% in five trading days, 20% over the past month, 52% year to date and 65% over 12 months. At $32.69, it is edging back towards its June low of $28.76 and sits miles below its 52-week high of $99.53.

    So, after such a brutal sell-off, do brokers think WiseTech shares have fallen too far?

    WiseTech still has something to prove

    For much of August, it looked like WiseTech shares might finally be turning a corner.

    The stock jumped 25% during the first three weeks of the month, reaching $45.47 on 25 August. Then came the FY26 result, and the recovery quickly ran out of steam.

    Since reporting, shares have plunged around 20%, taking them a long way from the $100-plus levels seen just a year ago.

    Yet the numbers weren’t exactly disastrous.

    WiseTech delivered a 46% increase in EBITDA to US$558.4 million for FY26. While that landed within management’s US$550 million to US$585 million guidance range, it came slightly below the market’s US$569.5 million forecast.

    Looking ahead, management expects FY27 revenue to grow 6% to 10%, reaching US$1.48 billion to US$1.54 billion. Underlying EBITDA is forecast to increase 12% to 21%, with margins expanding to between 49% and 51%.

    A global leader with a credibility problem

    The collapse in WiseTech shares isn’t simply a story about deteriorating demand.

    Its CargoWise platform remains a major logistics software system used by the world’s top 25 freight forwarders, including Toll and DHL.

    That gives WiseTech exposure to powerful long-term trends, including the digitalisation of global trade and the increasing complexity of international supply chains.

    The bigger problems have been investor confidence, governance concerns and regulatory issues.

    That’s why FY27 execution could be crucial. If WiseTech can deliver stronger growth and expanding margins while rebuilding investor trust, the current share price could eventually look like an opportunity.

    What do brokers think?

    Several brokers remain firmly bullish.

    Morgans has retained its buy rating with a $62.50 price target, while Morgan Stanley has maintained its buy rating and $70 target. From $32.69, those targets imply potential upside of around 91% and 114%, respectively.

    Bell Potter also retains a buy rating, despite cutting its target from $71.75 to $65. Citi lifted its target from $55.05 to $58.75, while UBS reduced its target from $65 to $56 but retained its buy recommendation.

    Macquarie is also positive, with an outperform rating and $48.20 target.

    However, not everyone is convinced. Jefferies has downgraded WiseTech shares to hold with a $45 target, while JPMorgan also has a hold rating and $40 target.

    At $32.69, that enormous spread tells investors something important: the market remains deeply divided.

    The bull case is that WiseTech can turn its strong competitive position into faster growth and expanding margins. The bear case is that investor concerns and slower near-term growth warrant a permanently lower valuation.

    For now, brokers appear considerably more optimistic than the share price suggests. But WiseTech will need to execute in FY27 before the bulls can claim victory.

    The post WiseTech shares are down 65%. Have brokers finally spotted a bargain? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in WiseTech Global right now?

    Before you buy WiseTech Global shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and WiseTech Global wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended JPMorgan Chase and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 1 ASX dividend stock down 39% I’d buy right now

    Hand holding Australian dollar (AUD) bills, symbolising ex dividend day. Passive income.

    The ASX dividend stock Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) could be one of the leading stocks to buy right now for passive income.

    I like to buy businesses for less than they’re worth and to receive solid dividends from my investments, with the prospect of longer-term growth.

    For me, Rural Funds ticks all of those boxes after the farmland real estate investment trust (REIT) reported a compelling set of numbers in the FY26 result.

    Let’s get into why it seems so appealing.

    Very undervalued

    A REIT makes it quite easy to judge its value by regularly telling investors about its net asset value (NAV) or net tangible assets (NTA).

    The NAV and NTA metrics tell investors what the net value is when you include the property valuations, the loans, cash and other assets and liabilities. If the business were to be shut down, the NAV should be what remains for distribution to shareholders.

    REITs regularly independently value their assets to ensure that the NAV figure is realistic.

    Rural Funds reports an adjusted NAV to the market, with the adjustment being to include the market value of the water entitlements. Rural Funds owns significant water entitlements, which can be used by farming tenants for their operations.

    Other key assets in the Rural Funds portfolio include almond farms, cattle farms, macadamia farms, vineyards and cropping farms.

    It recently reported that at 30 June 2026, it had an adjusted NAV of $3.22 – this was an increase of 4.5% year-over-year. At the time of writing, the Rural Funds unit price is trading at an approximate 40% discount to that adjusted NAV, which I’d describe as a significant discount.

    The ASX dividend stock offers a good yield

    The large discount means that Rural Funds offers a much larger distribution yield than it would if it were trading at the same value as its adjusted NAV.

    Rural Funds has provided investors with an annual distribution per unit of 11.73 cents in the last few financial years. I think maintaining the payout has been impressive during these periods of higher interest rates.

    It has provided guidance that it will pay an annual distribution of 11.73 cents per unit in FY27. That translates into a forward distribution yield of 6%.

    Rental income is growing

    I think one of the most important factors in deciding whether a REIT is attractive is its potential for rental income growth. That’s the best way to increase property value and fund higher future distributions.

    The ASX dividend stock has a weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of more than 14 years, meaning that rental income is locked in for a long time.

    A significant portion of the REIT’s rental income is growing with fixed annual increases, while another large chunk of the revenue is growing because it’s linked to inflation.

    I believe the ASX dividend stock is very undervalued, particularly for when interest rates start coming down again, whenever that is.

    The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 39% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Rural Funds Group right now?

    Before you buy Rural Funds Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Rural Funds Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

    A male ASX 200 broker wearing a blue shirt and black tie holds one hand to his chin with the other arm crossed across his body as he watches stock prices on a digital screen while deep in thought

    On Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) finished the week deep in the red. The benchmark index fell 0.9% to 8,741.2 points.

    Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:

    ASX 200 expected to rise

    The Australian share market looks set for a decent start to the week following a good session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 18 points or 0.2% higher. In the United States, the Dow Jones was up 1%, the S&P 500 rose 0.85%, and the Nasdaq stormed 0.95% higher.

    Oil prices fall

    ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) will be on watch on Monday after oil prices pulled back on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 2.4% to US$100.05 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 2.8% to US$104.61 a barrel. However, an escalation in the Middle East over the weekend could send oil prices higher when Asian markets open.

    Buy NextDC shares

    NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares could be worth a look according to Shaw and Partners. This morning, according to The Bull, its team has named the data centre operator as a buy. It said: “While investment spending remains elevated, management continues to secure long term customer contracts that provide earnings visibility. With structural growth tailwinds expected to persist for many years, NXT remains well positioned to deliver attractive long term shareholder returns.”

    Gold price edges higher

    It could be a mildly positive start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price edged higher on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was up slightly to US$4,408.9 an ounce. Traders were buying the dip despite increasing US rate hike bets.

    ASX shares going ex-dividend

    Another group of ASX shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. Among them are debt collector Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP), telco Chorus Ltd (ASX: CNU), travel and transport company Kelsian Group Ltd (ASX: KLS), and airline operator Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd (ASX: VGN). The latter is paying a fully franked 7.6 cents per share dividend next month on 15 October.

    The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Credit Group right now?

    Before you buy Credit Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Credit Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Nextdc and Woodside Energy Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.